Why Outsourcing Is Important For Your Business

Whether you’re just starting a business or looking to grow your existing
one, outsourcing may be an important resource for you to consider. If
done effectively, it will undoubtedly, increase your productivity and
your income potential.

As home business owners, for the most part ‘solo’ and trying to be
jack-of-all-trades, we very often get frustrated and overwhelmed.

It’s
as if we’re stuck doing the same things that aren’t getting us anywhere
near what we’re reaching out for.

But have you ever considered the idea of outsourcing many of the small jobs that are keeping you from doing what you do best?

If the answer is “No” then perhaps you should make this consideration today.

What Is Outsourcing?

Outsourcing
is the process of hiring someone else to do tasks that take up a lot of
your time, so you can focus on the more important activities.

I see it as a smart way of buying quality time which you would otherwise waste on time-consuming non-productive stuff.

These tasks can be as simple as sending out quick emails to potential
clients, doing marketing research, updating your blog. Basically,
inefficiencies that prevent you from moving forward.

Benefits Of Outsourcing

Few of the various advantages include :-

Avoiding extra costs by not having to pay for vacation leave, sickness benefits and high-costs for health insurance for employees.

No need to buy or rent office space, pay utilities, provide equipment or office supplies. This will save you a significant amount of money compared to more traditional businesses.

Outsourced employees normally work from home, so they do not have to commute, which makes the position appealing for them as well.

You are not obliged to keep someone on long-term basis if you do not want to or if your budget does not permit. You can simply contact them again if and when you need to.

You get to work with other people, from whom you learn a lot.

Plus, assigned tasks are normally bound by time frames. This makes you accountable and helps you not to procrastinate.

When and Why You Should Outsource

Here are signs that it’s time to seriously start considering seeking outside help :-

Taking ages to learn and master technology

Lots of ideas and not enough time to make them happen

Doing busy work to avoid doing what really needs to get done

Frequently getting stuck on simple computer applications

Spending too much time on your computer

Very limited quality time with your loved ones

Trying to get everything done yourself.

You
can start outsourcing at any stage of your business. It doesn’t matter
whether you’re getting started, putting your marketing in place, or
seeking to grow your business in general.

There are so many small
and mundane tasks that you, as a business owner are responsible for,
that it becomes impossible to complete each and every item in a timely
manner and with the quality that each task deserves.

When you
delegate some of these items to a talented person in the area of
expertise you need help in – an independant contractor whom you only pay
after satisfactory completion of the work, it allows you to concentrate
on the areas where you are the strongest.

Successful
entrepreneurs actually do not see outsourcing as an expense - they see
it as an investment. By looking 2 to 3 years down the road, you will
have a team of people working for you and a system in place to help you
get the most for your business.

Where To Go

There are several websites available that will help you find professionals to fit your outsourcing needs. These include :-

Craigslist.org

oDesk.com

Freelancer.com

Elance.com

Guru.com

asksunday.com

These websites are designed to match outsourcing
professionals with those who need their services. It is important for
you to read the guidelines and requirements of each site prior to
posting a job to ensure that you remain in compliance with the site's
expectations.

When posting a job, be very clear about the details, including the
language and time zone you are in. Be specific in what you’re looking
for. With the possibility that the project does not meet your expectations -
it is recommended that you start with small tasks.

Many
individuals who outsource for the first time, want to initially get a
feel of having someone working for them and the concept of outsourcing
itself. Once you establish a good relationship with a quality
contractor, you can then delegate more elaborate work and build an
ongoing business relationship.

Choosing the right contractor can
be a daunting task.

So, take your time sorting through proposals and
selecting the right expert/s for the job/s. Ask for their resume and
samples of their work. Ask questions like ‘Why they think they would be
a good fit for your project’. Tell them that you expect to receive a
daily update on the progress of the task.

Putting It All Together

When you feel its time to outsource, follow this
4 step exercise to get you going. Start small, say, by
delegating 1-2 hours per week until you get the hang of it. Then
increase the hours gradually, according to your needs.

Step 1: Consider all the things in your everyday
life that need to be completed - but waste your time - such as
housework, ironing, laundry, etc. Now, make a list of the same types of
things in your business that have to be accomplished but are not productive. These may include :-

Checking e-mails

Completing blog posts

Updating social media websites and forums

Analyzing website data

Finding affiliate programs

Locate advertisers

Emailing potential clients

Data entry

Research

Customer service

Transcription

Mailing list development

Office management

Presentations

Bulk mailing

Event planning

Step 2:
Put a number down, from 1 (lowest) - 5 (highest), rating your skill
level for each task, and then another number representing how well you
like performing each task.

Step 3: Take the tasks with the lowest skill level and the lowest degree of likeability and find someone to outsource these items to.